O'Sullivan advises against complacency

Eddie O'Sullivan already knows Ireland's starting line-up for the World Cup - but will not hesitate to swing the axe if players lose form.

Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell are the only first-team regulars to be selected for Saturday's clash with Scotland as O'Sullivan puts the finishing touches to his squad for France.

O'Sullivan said: "We know Ireland's first XV and that was the players who didn't go on the summer tour to Argentina but who played against England in the Six Nations. But we have to be realistic too. Players must keep their form up."

He added: "If people step off there is room for change because there are guys breathing down the necks of some of the more established players.

"That's very healthy and if you didn't have it then human nature means players would sometimes take their eye off the job.

"At a tournament like the World Cup it only takes a few players for that to happen and we'd be in trouble.

"We all have a pretty good headset on what the starting XV is. But there is always room for change and that's down to form."

Back row remains the fiercest battleground with O'Sullivan committed to taking five loose forwards to the World Cup, with four already inked in.

Another four - Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Keith Gleeson and Alan Quinlan - will hope to impress at some point on Saturday with the latter two starting on the bench.

O'Sullivan is a known admirer of Quinlan's, Gleeson is a specialist openside while Heaslip and Ferris are gifted youngsters with bright futures.